GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A national campaign called Black Maternal Health Week is underway.
It is designed to raise awareness and improve maternal health outcomes for Black women. The American Heart Association says the number of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States has risen 140 percent over the past three decades, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause.
Laura Moody is a retired nurse and a board member for the American Heart Association in Grand Rapids. She says Black women are 45 percent more likely to die in hospitals during pregnancies.
“And 23 percent have heart attacks. About 57 percent are likely to have a stroke. Forty-two percent are more likely to develop blood clots in the lungs, and 71 percent are more likely to develop heart and muscle weaknesses,” Moody said in a phone interview with WOOD Radio.
Indeed, Black women have the highest risk of pregnancy-related heart problems, with complications from high blood pressure and kidney dysfunction. So, the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” movement is trying to raise awareness about heart health.
Moody is also a member of the Grand Rapids Black Nurses Association and the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI). She said socio-economic factors contribute to the increased health risks for many pregnant Black women.
“Because a lot of times, they can’t afford to go to the doctor. Or they’re not sure if they’re going to be charged extra. And they may not have the insurance to go,” Moody explained.
And sometimes, they are not eligible for temporary food assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture or through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program.
Or they may not be educated about healthy food choices
“A lot of times, they eat at fast-food restaurants with all the salt intake, which can increase your blood pressure, and you end up with kidney problems and everything else. So, it’s important to do the research. And there is a lot of information out there, because you need to be able to understand the factors that are affecting pregnancy,” Moody said.
Moody said if you’re Black and pregnant, plan on going to the doctor early. Tell the doctor about your family’s history regarding things like high blood pressure, and find out if you are at high risk for cardiovascular complications.
“We always say the body you save may be your own,” Moody said.
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